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In Charlotte-Mecklenburg:
1) Rainwater that flows down our streets goes straight to our streams
2) Storm water runoff is not treated or cleaned
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From the Street...............
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..................To the Stream |
Two Separate Systems
Storm Drainage System
Our storm drainage system uses one set of pipes. Excess rainwater flows into storm drains, then is piped directly into creeks. The water is not treated. The system was designed to quickly remove rainwater from streets, parking lots and other surfaces.
Sanitary Sewer System
Our sanitary sewers use a completely different set of pipes. Wastewater from toilets, showers and other plumbing travels through pipes to one of five Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department's sewage treatment plants. The wastewater is cleaned and must meet specific water quality standards before CMUD discharges it into creeks.
The problem
Rainwater is not the only thing going into our storm drainage system. Urban pollution such as:
is carried by storm water into storm drains, then is piped directly into creeks. Some people make things worse by dumping used motor oil, paint, car wash suds, or other chemicals down storm drains—which is illegal.
The result
Whatever was on our streets and parking lots winds up in our creeks, then our lakes. The pollution can choke aquatic life such as fish. Our streams and coves often look muddy when it rains. Property is eroded away. When people treat our storm drain system like a "sewer," it spoils our water quality and detracts from our quality of life.
The solution
Prevent pollution at the source! Learn how
Why isn't storm water treated to remove pollutants?
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